JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a few weeks away, and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she participated in a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in various markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to respond to working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and referall.us discovering about their working with practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the roadway,” he said.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You require to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He described that participants must pinpoint the business they want to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.